Photo a day - Duomo demons

This photo was taken in the cathedral (duomo) of Florence in October 2009. We climbed the stairs to the top of the dome, which allowed us a close-up view of the ceiling and its amazing fresco. This detail cannot be seen from the floor of the church, probably to the great relief of the parishioners.

Photo a day - Monti Simbruini hike

This was taken during a hike in September 2009 somewhere near Jenne, Lazio in the Parco Regionale dell'Appennino Monti Simbruini.



Later this day, we were driving on a dirt road, came to a crossroads, and paused as we considered which way to go next. A complete stranger waved us over and invited us to join a picnic. It was the Raduno Nazionale di Mitsubishi Outlander, the annual gathering of a car club of Outlander SUV owners. Members came from all over Italy, and each of them brought a food specialty from his or her town. They happily shared their delicious offerings with us despite the fact that we were not even in a SUV, let alone an Outlander. This is one of our most wonderful memories of Italy.

Check it out - they included us in their video, calling us "L'Americano e la First Lady."

Photo a day - Lagonda

This picture was taken at the FIVA World Rally (Rome) in September 2009. If you look closely, you can see us in the photo.

Photo a day - Circo Massimo

This used to be my view at lunchtime (taken from the roof terrace of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization). It's the Circus Maximus, an ancient Roman race track and sporting field.

Photo a day - moo

We went hiking in Parco Nazionale Gran Sasso (Abruzzo) in September 2009 and came upon some healthy-looking grazers:

No time - photo a day series begins

We're getting ready to depart Rome and are finding less time to do things other than sort and pack belongings, so I've pre-posted a photo a day for the next little while. Hopefully this will hold over our faithful two, possibly as many as five, readers until we have time and internet access again.

The photo for today was taken at the Piero Taruffi Car Museum (in the town of Bagnoregio) in August 2009. As you might guess, it's a 1957 Spatz. Whaddaya mean, you never heard of it?

Morocco, part 9: Meknes and Volubilis

The last place we stayed in Morocco was the pleasant city of Meknes. We found a wonderful dar (small hotel) and got a beautifully decorated room.



Here's the view of a tower from the rooftop terrace...



...and the view looking down into the dar's courtyard.



Volubilis was a Roman city two thousand years ago. It still exists, but in ruins. It is well worth a visit if you happen to be in Morocco.

The arch below is dedicated to the Roman emperor Caracalla and his mother, Julia Domna.



Storks have made a home in Volubilis.



They seem comfortable atop the column.



Volubilis is famous for its many beautiful mosaics. Bacchus and Ariadne are in this one, although there's not much of Ariadne left.



I really liked this one, with animals and trees in the center and a series of intricate borders around them.



The mosaic below, in the House of Venus, depicts the goddess Diana bathing.



We visited on the perfect day, uncrowded, warm but not hot. The site is large enough to hold one's interest but not so huge as to be unmanageable.



Here's a view of the Decumanus Maxius, the ceremonial road.



Volubilis was one of the major highlights of our Morocco trip. From here we drove back to the Fes airport and flew back to Rome. Tip for those spending time in the Fes airport: bring reading material! There's no newsstand.